The Cahill's

About a month ago we had the opportunity to “star” as extras in Indescribable – the movie my sister is making.

The first day of our visit we went on location to watch them film a scene inside an old train warehouse. It was hot outside and fairly stifling inside the warehouse turned orange packing plant. Yet everyone worked and sweated cheerfully as they filmed and re-filmed each take.

The kids were wowed with the equipment and started picking up lingo like “quiet on the set” and “Action!”

After watching the action take place, they wanted to practice as movies stars too – loading and unloading oranges. (Cousins Connor and Abbie help.)

We arrived on a new set early the next morning, eager to start  our acting careers. While the crew set up cameras and shot some footage, kids and parents were dressed in their costumes.

Of course, they turned out so cute that we had to do a little photo shoot.

I think Flora came out the most adorable!

Who wouldn’t want to show off a baby this cute!

We landed a scene early in the day and spent an hour or so walking in and out of a church – trying to act surprised as we watched a scene unfold for the umpteenth time. Here, director Stacie, gives instructions to the cast.

Here’s our little family attending church – Amy’s parents are just in front of us. During the 2 hour “service” the kids behaved about how you might expect kids back then would have. At least the film will have a feel of reality.

Come check out the trailer – it’s the third one from the top.

Dear reading audience, I know that you eagerly await each posting and must have been puzzled by the seeming drought of any cute pictures or stories for the last month. This was due to a big move on my part – from windows to Linux (Fedora and Gnome 3 whatever that means). My dearest husband has been itching to switch me over for a long time and finally made the jump in order for me to try my hand at digital scrap booking (using freeware). The rebuilding has taken time as Brian wrote code and played with various applications and desktop versions, trying to get all my favorite programs to run just like I’m used to (my skill being vastly less adaptable to new programs and looks than his). However, I’m pleased to announce that he has me up and running and just last night instructed me on the finer points of posting once again.

However, during my web absence, life has gone on and now I have much to cover in order to catch up. So without further ado, here are our latest shenanigans!

Two weeks ago we learned about Noah’s Ark. I read the story each day and then we did an activity.

The first morning we had a brief rain just as the kids woke up so I rushed them out to use their umbrellas.

We did some artwork – mixing colors and painting “rainbows” and using rubber stamps to put animals on the Ark. Lance did the top pictures, Ivy the ones on the bottom.

Daddy brought home some packing foam and helped the kids “build an ark” hammering nails into the foam and pulling them back out. Lance loved this project.

One afternoon we used blocks to make cages for the animals, then we fed them and took them for walks. Here are Ivy’s animals – looks like one big party!

Lance’s animals were much more subdued….

Until Flora volunteered to help feed them. Too bad, those perfectly lined up walls were Lance’s pride and joy.

Over Labor Day weekend we visited Brian’s parents and they happened to have a cardboard box so we made it into an ark! The kids LOVED it and gathered all the stuffed animals to put inside. Lance took two little ones and make them talk, asking each other if they wanted to go into the ark – so cute!

We also got to visit the zoo the next week. Later that evening I was asking the kids to name the animals that went on the ark. Lance started listing all the ones we saw “lion go in the boat, chimpanzee go in the boat, elephant go in the boat…” when Ivy breaks in and asks “Lance and Ivy go in the boat?” It was really sweet.

Last Week: Baby Moses

We did weaving (mostly mommy did it) tried to draw an “M” with much coaching about connecting the dots, and then a picture of Moses with grass in front and a basket with a lifting lid – Lance thought that was pretty cool. Papers on right belong to Ivy, ones on left, Lance.

Worked the kids like slaves….

Took baby Moses to the water….

Launched his little basket….

And hid from the soldiers in the tall grass.

A fun, muddy time was had by all.

    The kids are growing up fast! It’s fun to watch them learn and develop new skills right before my eyes. They have such determination and work hard for mastery, flashing joyful smiles when they accomplish their goal.

Flora has learned how to pull to a stand which adds a new dimension of fun to playtime!

Shortly after learning to pull up, she started cruising and life became even more fun. She also loves to crawl up steps, over pillows and follow mom and siblings around the house.

Flora has just begun to sprout her first tooth! She loves to eat and has tried many new foods, including peanut butter and m&m’s, lovingly shared by Ivy.

One evening I took a bunch of water guns to the pool. In his desire to “shoot people” Lance decided to branch out into the big pool. He discovered it wasn’t as scary as he thought and now I can hardly get the kids to play in the baby pool.

Lance loves his floatie and the freedom it brings is quite exhilarating!

Ivy’s idea of fun is quite different. She has never feared the water and her propensity to jump right in has kept us ever watchful. Brian has been teaching her to swim and it’s finally taking hold.

She’s getting better each day! This was taken yesterday and shows the first time she gets her face above water (briefly) without help. This new skill is very exciting to her and she loves to practice.

I am so blessed to watch the minute, ever changing progress of my children. You may see the highlights but behind each video is days and days of practice and failure. Their determination is awesome and their joy is contagious. Thank you God for living, breathing pictures of change.